Atlas V • AEHF-4

AEFH-4 is fourth from series of new communication satellites for Department of Defense. They will be base for new military communication system operating worldwide, highly secured, fast and characterized with high level of capacity. AEFH-4 is built by Lockheed Martin with communication payload designed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman. Lockheed was contracted for series of six satellites with three already launched - AEFH-4 was previously scheduled for 2017, but Lockheed managed to prepare satellite earlier and for the moment launch is planned on 15th December 2016.

Satellite is based on A2100 bus with operational life at 14 years, mass at 6168 kg and powered by deployable solar arrays and onboard batteries. Propulsion is combination of thrusters: central bipropellant BT-4 made by Japanese IHI Company supported by four Aerojet Rocketdyne electric XR-5 thrusters with power at 5 kW. Launch vehicle will be Atlas V in 531 configuration with 5 m payload fairing, 3 rocket boosters and equipped with single engine Centaur upper stage.